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Television

Television

1985 1 Seasons 13 Episodes ⭐ 8.0 Documentary

Exhaustive 13-part survey of the television medium from its hesitant beginnings in the 1920s to the multi-million dollar extravaganzas of today and the cable and satellite technologies of the future [relative to 1985]. Tackling the medium as a worldwide phenomenon, the series examines each of the principal areas of programming - news, drama, documentaries, and light entertainment - and the unique impact of "live" coverage.

Exhaustive 13-part survey of the television medium from its hesitant beginnings in the 1920s to the multi-million dollar extravaganzas of today and the cable and satellite technologies of the future [relative to 1985]. Tackling the medium as a worldwide phenomenon, the series examines each of the principal areas of programming - news, drama, documentaries, and light entertainment - and the unique impact of "live" coverage.

Seasons & Episodes

EP 1

Visions of Power

A look at the way that TV affects and manipulates viewers.

EP 2

The Race for Television

Goes back to TV's earliest flickering beginnings, in the first primitive TV camera built by the eccentric Scots inventor

EP 3

We Bring You Live Pictures

The development and impact of outside broadcasts and live coverage of news, sport and pageantry. Peter Dimmock, then in

EP 4

News Power

Continuing the worldwide history of the medium, this programme moves on to television news, tracing its development from

EP 5

News: The Power of Pictures

Looks at the awesome ability of on-screen images to evoke a massive public response, as with the pictures of the starvin

EP 6

The Story Machine

From news to fiction as the series moves behind the scenes to look at how some of the most popular drama series are prod

EP 7

Play Power

Considers TV drama and the practical influence, if any, of such controversial landmarks as the BBC's post-war "1984" and

EP 8

The Rise and Fall of the Documentary

After 30 years of recording every human problem, every aspect of the natural world, has the TV documentary run out of st

EP 9

Chewing Gum for the Eyes

Focusing on light entertainment, from variety to quiz and game shows, from chat shows to pop videos, with samples garnis

EP 10

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

An examination of the beneficial effects of television, its help in education, its power to broaden the horizons of its

EP 11

Canned Laughter

The history and development of television comedy is examined, from its origins in American vaudeville and radio shows, t

EP 12

The Selling of the President

The medium's revolutionary effect on the business of electioneering around the world, with politicians being taught how

EP 13

The Third Age of Broadcasting

Looks to the medium's future in a satellite and cable world where the viewer may be spoilt for choice in terms of quanti

Popular Cast

Ian Holm

Ian Holm

Self - Narrator (voice)